Looking Ahead: Chamber expects Coppell to see ‘unlimited opportunity’

Kristi Valentine is president and CEO of the Coppell Chamber of Commerce.

Kristi Valentine is president and CEO of the Coppell Chamber of Commerce. The chamber was established in 1990 to protect and strengthen the city’s business community.

Q: What challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for local businesses in 2014?

A: I anticipate a wonderful year ahead for 2014 with unlimited opportunity for those that wish to become entrepreneurs and small business owners. It seems the environment is right and the economy will better support new ideas and approaches to the creation of new products and services, as well as new career paths.

Q: What are your expectations for the economy, both locally and nationally?

A: I’m grateful that the economy has turned around in the last 12 months, and we are already starting to feel the impact of the upward turn. There are numerous upstart businesses and existing businesses expanding in Coppell at this time. We’ve also seen several large corporations choose to put down their roots in Coppell and will be building or renovating space to bring their corporate or state headquarters, manufacturing and distribution centers to Coppell.

What is good for Coppell is also good for the community, state and nation. We are in a time of great growth and I’m positive things will continue to move upward and onward.

Q: What are the most important things local businesses will need to do to succeed in the new year?

A: Local businesses will need to continue to attract great talent in leadership positions to take their companies to the next level. If you don’t grow and adapt to the constant change in the environment in areas of social media, education and technological advancements, you will be left behind.

Q: What are some of the highlights of your group’s planned events and programs in 2014?

A: The Coppell Chamber will continue to provide great benefits, programs and the events that we have offered this year. We are focused on adding a members affinity program to provide additional services, benefits and discounts to our chamber members. A Young Entrepreneurs group will also be formed in the Coppell Chamber in 2014. We are striving to provide additional business education opportunities through our Chamber University, as well as online courses we are preparing to offer. We are refocusing our efforts to give additional tools to our small business members.

Q: What potential do you foresee for local job growth this year?

A: I see a huge opportunity for job growth in Coppell. We have so many companies relocating large corporate and distribution facilities here, as well as a substantial redevelopment that is taking place in our Old Town Coppell area, Main Street Coppell. It is attracting several restaurants, some retail and some small businesses. At this moment, three restaurants and a cupcakery are in the process of planning and building to open in Main Street Coppell in 2014.

I’m hopeful that the addition of so many smaller businesses as well as large-scale operations in Coppell will naturally create opportunities for residents in and around the city of Coppell to find employment.

Q: North Texas continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. How do evolving demographics influence business offerings in your community?

A: Coppell is fortunate to have higher education levels among residents in our city than most across the state and the nation. This is a factor in many companies choosing to locate their main operations/company headquarters here. Finding better talent is one reason in the decision-making process for a company’s choice to be Coppell.

Q: What advances in technology, transportation and communication have affected business this year? What role will those advances play next year?

A: Transportation has been an issue in Dallas-Fort Worth for quite some time, but opening up the DFW Connector and the progress being made on the projects of I-635 and I-35, give us hope that help is on the way, making logistics easier for most in the metroplex. These are growing pains that I believe we are willing to endure for the wonderful outcome that is ahead.

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